McFarland, USA
Release Date: February 20

Walt Disney Studios

Starring: Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Morgan Saylor, Martha Higareda, Michael Aguero, Sergio Avelar, Hector Duran, Rafael Martinez, Johnny Ortiz, Carlos Pratts, Ramiro Rodriguez, Danny Mora, Valente Rodriguez, Vanessa Martinez, Chris Ellis, Diana Maria Riva

Directed by: Niki Caro

Rated: PG

Official Web site: http://movies.disney.com/mcfarland-usa


Facebook:www.Facebook.com/McFarlandUSA

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DisneyPictures

#McFarlandUSA

Based on the 1987 true story, "McFarland, USA" follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California's farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys' exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent-the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic. With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their own kind of American dream.

See the trailer here:

Talking With the Cast And The People Who Inspired This Amazing Film!

Cast members from "McFarland, USA" were more than happy to assemble once again at a hotel in Hollywood recently to talk to members of the press about the making of the movie. First up, actors Johnny Ortiz, Sergio Avelar, Kevin Costner, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran and director Niki Caro, took turns fielding questions. Here are just a few insights from the lively conversation.

The cast was asked what it was like meeting their real-life counterparts. Unfortunately, Johnny hadn't had the chance yet. "He was actually in the military, serving." Johnny says of runner, Jose Cardenas. "He's still in the military. I heard he's coming to the premiere. So I don't know that much about him, but I did talk to Niki (the director), who gave me the directions and how she wanted it. And going through the role, it's a beautiful role because it's about a young kid, you know, growing up by himself and how he goes through a struggle, and he's um - he's just by himself. He's trying to make it in life, he's trying to do something, and how he managed to go to school, go to fields and all that stuff."

"But all the characters have something in common, he continued. "Because they all come from a different background, which show that, you know, this is happening out there; this is what happened and it's just beautiful seeing this come to life."

Sergio adds that no one was ever sure the story would make it to the big screen. ""Honestly, it was just surreal. Coming from McFarland, and um, everyone talking about that they're gonna be making a movie, and it never happened. Then here comes Disney and a great director like Niki Caro, to start the film process. And I mean it was just so surreal, especially filming out there. You know, you see more out there on set, hundreds of people out there just going and supporting the film. It was just so surreal.

The conversation turned to Carlos and training for the film. "As far as training, we all know diets are horrible. I would say in the mornings, we went to Santa Clarita and I would run like five or six miles with these guys, and I cried more than I cried when I saw Bambi. But you know, Sergio being a runner from McFarland really helped me out, and - as well as Hector and Johnny and everyone. And so we do that. Then we would go to the studio and rehearse the film, and then after that I would make the fun drive in the Hyundai Elantra, which I'm very thankful for because my car was in a bad place; thank you, Disney - um, and I would make the fun drive to Redondo Beach," he joked. "And at Redondo Beach, I would then go through a lot of pain from the great people at Brick Fitness, thank you, Brian Gwen. He would just help with the strength and the nutrition and all that. And so for about three months, I couldn't have a carb and I didn't wear a shirt in my apartment. So... I'm kidding about that part."

Hector was asked about working with Kevin Costner. "Well, now that he's in front of me, it's a little more nerve wracking," he joked. "No, I'm just kidding. Working with Kevin was obviously an amazing experience. He's such a humble guy. One of the greatest memories I have on set, which really shows his character for me, was we're on set at like 4 in the morning, and it was really cold outside. And Kevin's like, 'Hector, are you cold?' And I was like, 'Yeah.' He's like, 'Do you want my jacket?' And it really showed how much he cares about his fellow actors."

So what attracted Kevin to the project? "Well, you know I had read the story some time ago. I don't know if it was ten, 15, 20... I'm 60, so I don't remember how long ago I read this story. But I had read about it in 'Sports Illustrated.' And I remember being very taken with it. I had lived in the Central Valley in Visalia, I actually played McFarland in high school baseball. I was taken with the story, and then of course closed the page and moved on with my life. And then this movie came up. This shining cloud Niki Caro said, 'Would you be in this movie?' It's so nice to be wanted. I mean you might think that I get everyone I want; I don't. To be wanted, and for that to match up was really a nice thing for me."

"To play Jim, who, you know, there's these men and women all over America who are affecting our young people. And relationships that coaches establish with young people is something that carries through their life if it's done right. There's not a lot of Jim Whites, but there are Jim Whites, and he represents the best, really, of the best. And uh, you know, it's almost biblical; our children have a hard time listening to their parents, right? There's a moment in time where kids really don't want to hear anything from their parents. But a coach can take on that thing, and boy, if they are of the cloth that Jim White came from, a very graceful, very quiet man, who somehow let them know what was possible."

"What was just possible; not that they were gonna get there, but this is possible for you, a goal. And Jim White, in just kind of putting the goal out in front of them, look what happened. Champions! Look they did, they exceeded beyond their expectations, so it's a great lesson to us, McFarland, that if we give our children, our young men, our young women goals, we let them see what's possible, they can exceed beyond their own wildest expectations. And uh, it's just a very good lesson, this movie. So I was proud to play the essence of Jim White. I'm not Jim White. You know, I think we'd all like to be Jim White in some way. But it was a pleasure to be able to do that, kind of from that Sports Illustrated article make this giant circle to actually being in the movie. I mean that feels like a movie, doesn't it?"

A natural follow-up to that question was what inspired director Niki Caro to tackle this particular project? "I was inspired, simple as that. Not only and just by Jim White and the original team and the scale of their achievement, and the legacy that they left and the legacy that goes on. But I was really inspired by the people, by how hard they work, by the commitment to their families, their faith, their community. And it was great for me to be able to light that up. This is a real story, it really is."

"You drive to McFarland," She continued. "You'll see a bunch of people you see on screen. It'll look like it does on screen. That's deeply satisfying to me to go in and tell a story that is not only meaningful, but is true and real, and tell it with the real people. And then if that weren't enough, to go in with the likes of these people... this has been a deeply, deeply satisfying experience for me and I hope it will be for the audience, too."

There's a great story about casting the film too. Sergio is actually from McFarland and never dreamed he would be on the big screen one day, representing his town. "Actually, my cousin gave my mother a phone call saying that there's a open casting call, and it was actually in Bakersfield, which is 30 miles south of McFarland. He said, 'You know, tell Junior to go out there, to see if he could get the movie.' I thought of it as a joke, like aw, 'they're not gonna get guys from, you know, the locals; they're gonna try to get the guys that can act, you know?' Because acting, I never thought of it. Never came to mind."

"Next thing you know, I mean I was just getting call backs to go and to talk to the casting directors. That way they could get to know me a little more and things like that. And then there was a hiatus. It was about a year and a half or so when I didn't hear anything about it. Next thing you know, I get this call from the casting office, and they say, 'Would you like to continue the process on to trying to get to the movie in McFarland?' I was like, 'Oh, yes,' like I completely forgot about it."

"Next thing you know, I mean, coming out here to the auditions, it was very nerve wracking because I was going up against these actors, and you know, I've never acted in my life. I never took drama classes or anything like that. So I thought I was no way competing with these guys. So, next thing you know, I'm at work, and I get a call from Niki. She's like, 'Oh, this is Niki Caro from McFarland, and I was wondering if you would want to work on this project McFarland?'

"Oh, my gosh, that was the best phone call! I just jumped up and down! I ran inside the job that I had, and I was like, 'Oh, my God! I got the movie! I got the movie!' And everyone was congratulating me. It was amazing! I thank everyone."

The cast and crew worked long hours for days on end to make a film that McFarland could be proud to share with the world. The result of their efforts is a inspirational film about over-coming long odd, focusing on your goals and surrounding yourself with people who believe in you. Share the magic of this up-lifting story by taking all of your family and friends to see McFarland, USA!

Stay tuned for more from the cast and real-life runners that inspired the film.

Join The Cast at Their Star-Studded Hollywood Premiere!

Click on the picture below for tons of photos from the Red Carpet!

Mark your calendars for February 20 and race to see McFarland, USA at a theater near you!

Photos by Liz Smith for EnterTeenment News

Click on the picture below to see some great pictures from the film!

Coming Soon!

Get a Sneak Peak of the Movie, Go Behind the Scenes and See The Music Video Here: